Aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters

• US 20020115817A1
• Filed: 12/19/2000
• Published: 08/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (Corteva, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (Corteva, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hayes, Richard A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,485,819 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 528/295.3
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/7163 Biodegradable
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2323/04 Polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2367/00 Polyesters, e.g. PET, i.e. polyethylene terephthalate
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2379/08 Polyimides
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/06 as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/36 comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/12 using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 63/668 derived from polycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxy compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 63/672 Dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 2367/02 Polyesters derived from dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy compounds; C08J2367/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C08J 5/18 Manufacture of films or sheets
• CPC Class Codes: D01F 6/84 from copolyesters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249921 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2913 Rod, strand, filament or fiber

Abstract

A copolyester of the reaction product of: (a) one or more aromatic dicarboxylic acids or an ester thereof, (b) one or more aliphatic dicarboxylic acids or an ester thereof, and (c) isosorbide. The polyesters are useful to form articles of increased biodegradability.

Claims

1. A copolyester comprising the polymerization product of:

(a) one or more aromatic dicarboxylic acids or an ester thereof;

(b) one or more aliphatic dicarboxylic acids or an ester thereof; and

(c) isosorbide.

2. A copolyester as claimed in claim 1, comprising

about 20 to about 98 mole percent of (a) based on total dicarboxylic acid in the copolyester,

about 2 to about 80 mole percent of (b) based on total dicarboxylic acid in the copolyester,

and about 1 to about 100 mole percent of (c) based on total glycols in the copolyester.

3. A copolyester as claimed in claim 1, further formed from a dihydric alcohol.

4. A copolyester as claimed in claim 1, further formed from a polyfunctional chain branching agent.

5. A copolyester as claimed in claim 1, which has an inherent viscosity of at least about 0.15 dL/g.

6. A copolyester as claimed in claim 1, which has a rate of biodegradability at least twice that of a copolyester formed from the corresponding amount and type of said (a) and (c).

7. A copolyester as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aromatic dicarboxylic acid or ester (a) is selected from the group consisting of terephthalic acid, dimethyl terephthalate, isophthalic acid, dimethyl isophthalate, 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, dimethyl-2,6-naphthalate, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

8. A copolyester as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or ester is selected from the group consisting of succinic acid, dimethyl succinate, glutaric acid, dimethyl glutarate, adipic acid, dimethyl adipate, dimer acid, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

9. A copolyester as claimed in claim 3, wherein the dihydric alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, poly(ethylene ether) glycols, and two or more thereof.

10. A copolyester as claimed in claim 4, wherein the polyfunctional chain branching agent comprises a polycarboxylic acid or ester thereof or a polyhydric alcohol.

11. A copolyester as claimed in claim 4, wherein the polyflnctional chain branching agent is selected from the group consisting of trimellitic acid, pyromellitic anhydride, pentaerythritol, esters thereof, and mixtures thereof.

13. A method of preparing a copolymer as claimed in claim 1, comprising melt polymerizing components (a), (b), and (c).

14. A shaped article formed at least in part from a copolyester as claimed in claim 1.

15. A film or sheet formed at least in part from a copolyester of claim 1.

16. An injection molded, compression molded, blow molded, or foamed article formed at least in part from a copolyester of claim 1.

17. A fiber formed at least in part from a copolyester of claim 1.

12. A method of improving the biodegradability and thermal properties of a polyester, comprising forming the polyester from (a) one or more aromatic dicarboxylic acids or an ester thereof;

(b) one or more aliphatic dicarboxylic acids or an ester thereof, and (c) isosorbide.